Choosing what type of Ethernet Cable to Install?

At present time the standard cable installation includes Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a. However, what is the right decision for our clients. First off, EVERYONE.. And I MEAN EVERYONE as their own opinions about the type of Ethernet cable that should be installed. They will sight various technical aspects of the cable and apply them to the future technologic advancements (prediction in what is needed). They will also mention the length of time you plan on staying in one place with the average being (5 to 7 years). Some even suggest using fiber optics. However, there is cost factor to consider and may TOO much overkill at the present time for consumers and small businesses. JUST REMEMBER, there are no RIGHT or WRONG type of cabling as long as it meets or surpasses your technical requirements and it is properly installed. In the majority of cases it will be the COST factor in the client's selection.. CCC can help you asses your present situation and help you determine the best cable to use. Here are some general questions.

• What is our Client's present technology needs
• What are the future needs (which can be hard to determine as technology is every changing)
• What is our Client's budget
• How much price difference between the category of cable
• The Method of installation used to install the cable as it relates in the easiness to upgrade in the FUTURE.
• The FINAL decision will be up to you.

An alternative would be run different category based on your present needs. An example, CAT6 for standard client and device requiring only an 1000BASE-T and reserve CAT6a for a backbone system where speeds may be necessary. Or slight cheaper way to go is by using CAT5e for standard 100mbps speeds a CAT6 for backbone transfers. CAT5e is used for standard VOIP Services.

Note: Ethernet twisted pair cables are certified in what they are capable handling even though they may handle higher speed rates. An example, supposedly CAT6 can handle 10BASE-T as long as it is under 55m. However, CAT6 is not certified to handle 10BASE-T, and there is no guarantee to its functionality.

OTHER consideration Custom Computer Consulting can assist are the technical specification associated with each of they type of the cable. They include:

Maximum Cable Length allowed for each category (for maximum performance) taking into account the type of cable being used. The standard Ethernet categories include: Cat5e - 10/100/1000BAST-T (replacement to Cat5) - enhanced category. 100meters (328 ft.) between each devices. Cat6a - 10/100/1000BASE-T & 10GBASE-T 100meters (328 ft.) between each device. Cat6 - when used for 10/100/1000BASE-T, the maximum allowed length of a Cat 6 cable is 100 meters (328 ft.) between each devices. This consists of 90 meters (295 ft.) of solid "horizontal" cabling between the patch panel and the wall jack, plus 10 meters (33 ft.) of stranded patch cable between each jack and the attached device. The formula used to convert meters into feet is 1m*=3.2808399”. If longer runs are required the use of active hardware devices such as a repeater or a switch is necessary. If linking two separate network together a router or bridge is used.

Bandwidth Category (It's frequency. Rated in Megahertz)

Cabling Topologies - the termination scheme defined by TIA/EIA-568-A or TIA/EIA-568-B. Choosing the appropriate termination scheme is important as the two schemes should never be mixed. Both work equally well and may be mixed in an installation as long as the same scheme is used on both ends of each cable.

Shielded STP or Unshielded or Non Shielded UTP Twisted Pair
Used in areas where high RF environment exist. This can include but not limited to power lines, transformers, Motors, Florescent lights, Ham radio and radio/TV stations. This is purely interferences it does not relate to Crosstalk which comes from adjacent pairs and Alien crosstalk which comes from adjacent cabling cable groups.

What type of outer jacket, plastic-like insulating material. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or Plenum (will depend on fire codes for your specific area)

Plenum or PVC
PLENUM cable is jacketed with a fire-retardant plastic jacket. It is standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems area is the air return for an air conditioning system. In most buildings, the PLENUM area above a drop ceiling is used as the source of air for the air conditioning systems. Wire and cable is usually installed in the same area, and if that wire burns during a fire, it would emit toxic fumes. The fumes could carry to the rest of the building through the air conditioner, and, as a result, the fumes could harm others. PVC means polyvinyl chloride, and it is a common plastic cable insulation or jacket. Special additives can be added to PVC to make it flame-retardant to meet plenum specifications in some installations.

Stranded or Solid (Conductor Forms) - The stranded form is more flexible and withstands more bending without breaking (i.e. movable cable that plugs into the wall socket or used between patch bays and network devices). Solid is used for permanent wiring (i.e. the wiring inside the wall that connects to wall socket to a central patch panel).

Interference Consideration near devices that generate electromagnetic interference. Devices that generate electromagnetic fields include heating/cooling units, printers, copiers, electrical wiring, video equipment, and much more. Even fluorescent lighting UTP cable is very susceptible to interference from fluorescent lights.

RISE
Cable that is run between floors in non-plenum areas is rated as riser cable. The fire requirements on riser cable are not as strict. Thus, plenum cable can always replace riser cable, but riser cable cannot replace plenum cable in plenum spaces. Both plenum and riser cables commonly include a rope or polymer filament with high tensile strength, which helps support the weight of the cable when it is dangling in an open chute.

FINAL NOTE ON CABLING
Just remember it is difficult to predict the future. CCC will assist assist you determining the appropriate cable and offer our suggestion based on your specific needs and our own experience.

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Last Updated: 18-Sep-2015 14:14